Watch: Rory McIlroy’s swing looking good as he’s ‘excited’ to return at the US Open

Rory McIlroy will make his return to golf at the second major of the season, as he tweeted a video of a sweetly struck fairway wood shot during his preparation at Quinta do Lago in Portugal.

The world number two has confirmed he will tee it up at the US Open next week (June 15-18), having played just once since the Masters over two months ago.

That was at the Players' Championship, where McIlroy finished tied 35th while feeling discomfort due to a rib injury picked up during the off season.

A scan revealed he had suffered no new injury but the Holywood golfer was advised to take a 'conservative approach' to his recovery, leading him to withdraw from the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

Despite his recent troubles, Paddy Power have installed McIlroy as 10/1 third favourite behind world number one Dustin Johnston and Jordan Spieth.

"I am ready for Erin Hills and looking forward to playing there for the first time," McIlroy told the Guardian.

"The last few weeks have obviously been frustrating.

"I never like to miss events either on the PGA Tour or European Tour, but it was important I got back to a level of fitness where I felt like I could give myself the best possible chance at the US Open.

"As I have said many times before, majors will ultimately determine my golf career but I have had the rest of this busy season to consider as well."

McIlroy has four majors to his name. He won the US Open back in 2011 at Congressional Golf Club.

This year's tournament will take place at Erin Hills.

World number 23 Phil Mickelson, meanwhile, has said he will miss the tournament to attend his daughter's high school graduation. The US Open is the only of golf's four major championships that Mickelson has yet to win.